Main menu

Sebastian Vettel is primed to win his third Formula One World Championship on Sunday. Photo by LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

Pole winner Vettel a step closer to third title

November 16, 2012

Share

Facebook

Tweet

Pinterest

Email

Pole winner Sebastian Vettel will start the United States Grand Prix seven slots ahead of title rival Fernando Alonso–giving the German a real chance of securing his third Formula One World Championship on Sunday.

However Vettel beat main qualifying challenger Lewis Hamilton by only a tenth of a second at the Circuit of the Americas.

“We started off on the right foot I think yesterday,” said Vettel. “The first practice was very good for us. It was extremely slippery to be honest to start with. Obviously the circuit is brand new, the asphalt is brand new and it takes a while for the track to come in but it's also quite a lot fun to slide around a couple of corners and it just got better throughout. I think you can see the lap times just got quicker.

“Through qualifying I think we were very happy. In the last section I would have loved to go a little bit quicker. I think I lost a little bit in the first and the last sector. It was a little bit closer than I wanted with Lewis. But overall, fantastic.”

Vettel said he wasn't focusing on what title rival Fernando Alonso–who will start eighth–is doing.

“Obviously we have to look after ourselves, and as I said I'm very happy. We had a smooth session, no issues. Yesterday afternoon was not ideal, we lost a little bit of time. These things can happen, and they might happen again. So you never know and therefore it's the best strategy to keep your down and try to get the best, which I think was the target in qualifying.

“As I said I'm very happy with the result but so far nobody has scored any points. I think we have seen at the last race how quickly things can change and even starting at the back does give you opportunities, so we need to wait and see. But for us we focus on our race and tomorrow we have the chance to seal the Constructors' Championship for the team, so that's what Mark and I will probably be looking out for.”